Does anyone sell a drop in composite stock for the Winchester M88 rifle? I bought a Model 88 which has had a severe crack sometime in the past from the ejection port clear back and down into the pistol grip. It appears to have been fairly well repaired, but I don't want to risk that repair failing in the hunting fields.

TIA for any helpful info.

MPI makes a good synthetic stock for the Model 88 but it is not a drop in.

quote:

Originally posted by just-a-hunter:
I don't think there are any composite stocks without going full blown custom. I coulnd't find one anyway.

I don't know if you seen just a few posts down, but I settled on the Boyds nutmeg laminated. I think with shipping and everything it was around $90.

The stock does come with a butt plate but you have to drill the lug bolt, and the sling studs.

Good luck,

Gotta love them 88's!

Todd

Thanks for taking the trouble to try to help out, and I may end up being forced to go that route if I can't find a composite. But to be fully honest and upfront, I don't like plywood stocks. I'd rather have a used ordinary wood one than even the best laminated one.

I think laminated stocks are too ugly and by far too heavy (with one or two exceptions which I don't believe are made for the Model 88s). I have some laminated stocks on various of my rifles, mostly varminters which I don't have to carry much, but will not have any more so long as I have a choice.

Of course, that is just my personal tastes coming into play, but I am stuck with that taste, whether I can justify it or not.


Anyway, once again thanks for the suggestion and the attempt to help me out. That, and your good wishes mean a lot to me and are very gentlemanly of you.
I guess I'll have to give Doc up at MPI another call...he is just finishing my composite mannlicher .458 mag about now. Will see what he wants for a M88 stock. It will probably be more than I want to pay, though...surely more than $500, which is about double what I am willing to spend.

Here is what Doc, the ramrod at MPI stocks, had to say when asked if they make stocks for the
Model 88 Winchester...

"Yes, we do stocks for the Model 88.
The blanks are $339 and need fitting, glass bedding, pad, studs and painted.
If you send it for the custom restocking, it's $775 complete with a choice of color, etc
thanks.
Doc
MPI Stocks"

I don't think I am any longer physically able to do composite stock finishing, and $775 is more than what I paid for the entire rifle, scope, and mounts, so I think I'll continue looking for a (sound) used, factory wood stock.